Camping, winterization and audit discussed at City Council

On October 11, 2016, the City of Oklee held their regular monthly meeting. Present were Council members Lori Melby, Kaye Munt and Mayor George Burthwick. Also present were City Clerk, Derek Cross and Darrell Tougas from Maintenance. Gale Schmitz from Gale E. Schmitz, LTD, the accounting firm for the City of Oklee.

There were six others in attendance either on city business or just a visitors.

Mayor George Burthwich opened the meeting and the minutes from the September meeting were approved with a motion by Munt, seconded by Melby.

Gale Schmitz went through the financial report. The report was approved with a motion by Melby and seconded by Munt. The bills were looked over and approved with a motion by Melby and seconded by Munt.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein came before the Council with a resolution request for the Hazardous Mitigation Plan that has been completed. This is a plan that is updated on a regular basis. Munt made a motion for a resolution to accept the Hazardous Mitigation Plan as presented, Melby seconded, carried.

Bernstein talked briefly on the nuisance properties the city has been working with. The last property has been sold and the case will be dismissed, Bernstein reported. There have been a few reports of barking dogs, but otherwise has been quiet.

Darrell Tougas, Maintenance was next on the agenda and reported that he has been getting the City of Oklee ready for winter. Some patching of roads, catching skunks and cats are some of the duties he recently has performed. The sewer line by the Highrise have been dug up and fixed. 

Cross and Tougas asked about a lot next to the baseball fields on the east side of town. This is in county control and feels the city should purchase and set it up for campers. Folks working in the area or visiting have asked about camping spots. Burthwick said he would like it back on the tax rolls instead of the City owning the lot. Tougas said it could be easily set up for four campers without any expense. Melby said she thought that could be a good idea, but it should also be available for sale if someone wants to purchase it. Burthwick would like to see camping spots set up at the Omar Sundrud Memorial Park (North Park) for camping as the pipeline workers will be in the area and there will be a need. Motion to purchase the lot was made by Melby and seconded by Munt. Carried.

Tougas went on to report on the afterschool workers the City will have to help on things. The summer help (Noah) will be back and another will be tried out on a 2 week trial.

Burthwick complemented Tougas and Cross on the Kinsley Kloset corner sidewalk by the fire hydrant, saying it looks great. Tougas said he would also like to fix the entry ramp by D & R Grocery.

The Council had asked for bids on the annual audit. Two companies had replied. After gathering the information and it was presented to the Council. Cross said he would like to switch to Hoffman, Phillip & Knutson. This company was offering a better price than Brady Martz and had a 3 or 5 year contract. Motion was made by Munt and seconded by Melby to contract with Hoffman, Phillip & Knutson for 5 years.

Pitchers were the next item on the agenda. Wanda Wright had asked if the City of Oklee was interested in purchasing 50 pitchers that were used at a family function. She had paid over $2.00 each and Cross thought $1.00 a piece was a fair price – Melby/Munt – carried.

Cross reported that a new copier/printer was installed and should cost less monthly. Cross also updated the Council on a couple of properties he has contacted because of nuisance items. The property with the truck loaded with appliances has been removed. The other property has been purchased and the new owners plan on removing the house. Cross was wondering what the Council felt if he helped them next year using city equipment on his own time. There is some concerns about breakdowns and insurance, and will be discussed when the time comes closer.

Omar Sundrud Memorial Park sign was brought up and Cross said he had dropped the ball on that item but will get is completed.

One other items was some sort of electrical panel (board) that Cross & Tougas thought would be better than the one they had and it would be used at a trailer court lot. They were told to make sure it was up to code.

The meeting was adjourned with a motion by Melby, seconded by Munt.

The next City of Oklee Council meeting will be held on November 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oklee Café.